University of Louisiana at Lafayette vs South Louisiana Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Louisiana at Lafayette comes closer — median earnings $47,089 against a $54,120 total, vs $31,432 at South Louisiana Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | South Louisiana Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,530 | $12,564 |
| Total net cost | $54,120 | $50,256 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,089 | $31,432 |
| Median debt | $22,902 | $11,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$79,540 | -$388,816 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Louisiana at Lafayette or South Louisiana Community College?
South Louisiana Community College, at $12,564 a year after aid versus $13,530 — a gap of $966 a year, or $3,864 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Louisiana at Lafayette or South Louisiana Community College graduates earn more?
University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates report a median $47,089 ten years after entry, $15,657 more than the $31,432 at South Louisiana Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Louisiana at Lafayette or South Louisiana Community College?
South Louisiana Community College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $22,902 at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a difference of $11,902. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, against 30% at South Louisiana Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.